Zoning Commission approves affordable housing complex on Route 202

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, October 30, 2008

In a unanimous vote, the commission approved the rental project with conditions to protect the current neighbors, including indoor rather than outdoor playgrounds and extensive landscaping as a buffer.

With affordable housing projects, the commission has less latitude to make restrictions than it does for other proposals. Still, it has the right to require certain safety measures and other stipulations related to how the complex will fit into an area.

This project is to be built in a high-traffic zone off Poplar Street/Route 202, between the police department and New Milford Hospital. There are a few homes, but much of the highway is lined with professional offices and businesses.

At this time, there is a long driveway to reach the existing house on the 2-acre property, a structure that will be taken down to accommodate the complex.

At public hearings Marwick Manor residents objected to the size and location of the housing, but recognizing the possibility it would be approved they asked that they be shielded from it.

And they won some concessions. They asked for minimal exterior lighting, hidden dumpsters and air conditioning units, and construction to be done during daytime hours on weekdays rather than weekends.

Engineer Paul Syzmanski said the project was altered from its original design to accommodate neighbors' concerns, including sidewalks from the complex to the road.

Another nod to neighbors was limiting the two-bedroom units to no more than five people.

Based on affordable housing laws, 30 percent of the complex will be offered to those who meet certain federal income guidelines, with those units designated affordable for up to 40 years.

Neighbor John O'Shaugnessy predicted the traffic in the area will worsen with the complex, further stressing the downtown area during peak hours of the day. The complex is located less than a mile from the Village Green.

The scene will soon be similar to "Times Square on New Year's Eve, "O'Shaugnessey predicted.